The High Court has temporarily stopped the government from establishing or operationalising any Ebola quarantine, isolation or treatment facility in Kenya linked to the United States or any foreign government.
The proposal has escalated to a growing political and public storm over a reported US-backed plan in Laikipia County.
In conservatory orders issued on May 28, 2026, Justice Patricia Nyaundi barred the State from approving or facilitating any Ebola-related facility pending the hearing of a petition filed by Katiba Institute.
The court further restrained the government from admitting into Kenya, transferring, receiving or facilitating the entry of persons exposed to or infected with Ebola under any arrangement with the United States government or any foreign entity.
The remarks have fuelled criticism from politicians, medical unions, activists and civil society groups, who argue the proposed arrangement exposes Kenya to unnecessary health risks despite the country having no confirmed Ebola cases.
The court orders came as Members of Parliament from Laikipia County strongly opposed reports that Kenya had agreed to host an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility for Americans exposed to the virus in Central Africa.
In a statement led by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, the lawmakers questioned why the United States was allegedly seeking to quarantine its citizens in Kenya instead of handling the matter on American soil.
“Our collective conscience is greatly disturbed by the news that there is intention by the Government of Kenya to have an Ebola Quarantine and Treatment Facility in Laikipia County,” the MPs said.
The petition, filed at the Milimani High Court under case number HCCHR PET/E333/2026, argues that the alleged arrangement poses an imminent threat to life and has been pursued without adequate public participation or legal safeguards.
“Public interest favours granting interim orders,” Justice Nyaundi ruled after certifying the matter as urgent.
The State Law Office was directed to respond within 48 hours, with the matter set for mention on June 2, 2026.
The legislators also questioned the decision to locate the facility in Laikipia, arguing that the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of the outbreak, would be a more practical location for such a centre.
“What does the US Government know about this that they are not accepting their own affected citizens into their soil but are ready to have them elsewhere?” the statement posed.
The MPs accused the Kenyan government of failing to fully disclose details of the alleged arrangement and insisted that the safety of Kenyans must remain the highest priority.
Their remarks followed international media reports that Kenya had approved a US request to establish a quarantine and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki as part of regional Ebola containment efforts.
The United States is said to have plans to commit $13.5 million, approximately KSh1.7 billion, towards Kenya’s Ebola preparedness programme, including establishment of a 50-bed isolation and quarantine unit.
The reports indicate the facility would initially host American citizens exposed to Ebola in Central Africa, while infected patients could later be transferred to Europe for specialised treatment.
The controversy intensified after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with President William Ruto on May 28 over the Ebola outbreak and cooperation between Kenya and the United States on public health response efforts.
The two leaders discussed securing critical medical supplies for Kenya and strengthening the country’s health system preparedness amid fears over the spread of Ebola in the region.
The State Department statement added that Washington’s “highest priority remains protecting the health and security of the American people by working to prevent the Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores.”
The lawmakers further argued that the billions pledged by Washington would be better utilised in strengthening outbreak response capacity directly in the DRC, where the disease originated.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has only confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the United States and international partners regarding Ebola preparedness, but has not publicly detailed the reported agreement on the Laikipia facility.
The Laikipia MPs urged residents to remain calm as they await clarification from the national government on the matter.
Edited by John Majau
